The Island of Missing Trees

By: Elif Shafak

Narrated by: Daphne Kouma, Amira Ghazalla

Brought to you by Penguin.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2022
THE TOP TEN SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER & REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB PICK

You don't fall in love in Cyprus in the summer of 1974. Not here, not now.

In 1974, two teenagers, from opposite sides of a divided Cyprus, meet at a tavern in the city they both call home. The tavern is the only place that Kostas, who is Greek, and Defne who is Turkish, can meet in secret, hidden beneath the leaves of a fig tree growing through the roof of the tavern. This tree will witness their hushed happy meetings, and will be there when the war breaks out and the teenagers vanish.

Decades later in north London, sixteen-year-old Ada has never visited the island where her parents were born. She seeks to untangle years of her family's silence, but the only connection she has to the land of her ancestors Is a fig tree growing tin the garden of their home . . .

'This book moved me to tears . . . in the best way. Powerful and poignant' Reese Witherspoon

'A brilliant novel -- one that rings with Shafak's characteristic compassion' Robert Macfarlane

'This is an enchanting, compassionate and wise novel and storytelling at its most sublime' Polly Samson

© Elif Shafak 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

Critic reviews

An outstanding work of breathtaking beauty (Lemn Sissay)

A writer of important, beautiful, painful, truthful novels (Marian Keyes)

Lovely heartbreaker of a novel centered on dark secrets of civil wars & evils of extremism: Cyprus, star-crossed lovers, killed beloveds, damaged kids (Margaret Atwood on Twitter)

Elif Shafak is a unique and powerful voice in world literature (Ian McEwan)

A wise novel of love and grief, roots and branches, displacement and home, faith and belief. The Island of Missing Trees is balm for our bruised times (David Mitchell, author of Utopia Avenue)

Simply magnificent, a truly captivating work of immense power and beauty, on the essence of life and its end (Philippe Sands on '10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World')

A rich, sensual novel... This is a novel that gives voice to the invisible, the untouchable, the abused and the damaged, weaving their painful songs into a thing of beauty

Elif Shafak's extraordinary 10 Minutes, 38 Seconds in this Strange World is a work of brutal beauty and consummate tenderness (Simon Schama on '10 Minutes, 38 Seconds in this Strange World')

One of the best writers in the world today

A beautiful written book, beautifully read

I was spellbound by this book, not just by the story but also by the outstanding narration by Daphne and Amira. I really liked the way that both took roles and the mix of English and Cypriot accents added to the authenticity. Probably the best audiobook I’ve ever listened to.

The story of a tree and an island

A magical tale telling the history of this island severed in two by differing religious beliefs. A story of love and hope. I enjoyed everything about this book even when I felt so sad for the war torn lovers and senseless deaths. I also enjoyed learning about the different trees and especially the fig.

Not a Love Story

This book is humbling & if u into nature, botanics, gardening it’s for you. Thought provoking as far as where we are in this diverse world

Beautiful story

As someone deeply connected to Cyprus, this is a story that touched my soul in so many ways. Thank you for writing it.

Beautiful book

I loved this, so beautifully written, such a moving story and magnificently narrated. Took me to that island…. Highly recommended